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Bold Baking Basics, Homemade Ingredients

Crazy Frosting Recipe: The Best Buttercream Frosting with Endless Flavor Variations

4.59 from 192 votes
Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
By Gemma Stafford | | 384

Last updated on April 19, 2023

Learn how to make the ultimate buttercream frosting with my buttercream frosting recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

Hi Bold Bakers!

By now you might know that one of my favorite ways to make bold baking accessible is by creating recipes that allow you to be creative and make my recipes your own. My favorite way to do this is through my “Crazy” Series. From Crazy Cookie Dough to Crazy Bread Dough, I share with you one master recipe that can be transformed into all of your favorite flavors. This Crazy Buttercream Frosting recipe is the “icing on the cake” (haha) to my crazy series.

Imagine a fool-proof recipe for the most decadent buttercream. The master recipe for my Crazy Frosting is just that. This creamy base unlocks all the secrets to smooth and creamy buttercream frosting. Light as air yet beyond rich, my buttercream frosting is the perfect consistency for icing a 3 Layer Neapolitan Cake or topping off your favorite variations of Crazy Cupcakes.

How to Make Buttercream Frosting

The secret ingredient in this buttercream frosting is time. Most people whip their butter for a few minutes then start adding in sugar and expect a light and airy result, but it’s never achieved. This frosting recipe takes its literal sweet time to really incorporate as much air as possible into the butter. This means allowing it your butter to whip to perfection for a full 7-8 minutes. Only then do I add in sifted powdered sugar one spoon-full at a time. While this takes a bit of patience, it is SO worth the wait – this method will give you the best buttercream frosting.

The best part of my Crazy Frosting is that it’s completely versatile! I’ve included all the mix-ins I add to my buttercream frosting recipe – from classic vanilla to peanut butter, chocolate, strawberry and more. All seven of these crazy frosting flavors are next-level, allowing you to create all kinds of lovely flavor combinations. My Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is a perfect example! I know you guys will love all of these flavors. I encourage you to also experiment and make up your own crazy frostings. After all – that’s what Bold Baking is all about!

Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting

Not just a popular ice cream flavor, this frosting is the topping for a rich chocolate cake.

Lemon Frosting

Spring has sprung! Spread this frosting over a vanilla cake for your Easter celebration or anytime inspiration strikes.

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Peanut Butter Frosting

Peanut Butter and jelly are not the only flavors that go well together! Peanut Butter Frosting spread over a chocolate cake is guaranteed to be a fan favorite.

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Coffee Frosting

The hint of coffee in this frosting will compliment and enhance any cake it is piped on.

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Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This Fudge Frosting is not only rich but fluffy and light at the same time. Pipe this chocolate buttercream frosting on top of a chocolate cake for ultimate decadence.

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Strawberry Frosting

Although summer is short, keep the season going with this sweet Strawberry Frosting spread onto cakes and cupcakes.

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Get more of my one-base Crazy Recipes including Crazy Cookie Dough, Crazy Cupcakes, Crazy Bread Dough and more!

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Watch The Recipe Video!

Crazy Frosting Recipe

4.59 from 192 votes
Print Recipe
Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 4 cups
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (340g/12oz) butter, at room temperature
  • 5⅔ cups (680g/1lb 8oz) confectioners' sugar, sifted*
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
  • pinch of salt
  • Add Ins:
    Strawberry Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup (21/2oz/75g) fresh or frozen strawberries, pureed and strained
    Chocolate Frosting:
  • 1 1/3 cups (51/3oz/160g) cocoa powder
    Coffee Frosting:
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
    Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting:
  • 3 teaspoons mint extract
  • 1/2 cup (3oz/90g) chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 drop green food coloring (optional)
    Peanut butter Frosting:
  • 3/4 cup (6oz/180g) smooth peanut butter
    Vanilla Frosting:
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract , total for the batch.

  • Lemon Frosting:
  • Zest of 2 lemons

Instructions

  • In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or using an electric hand mixer whip the butter until light and creamy for about 7-8 minutes on medium/high speed.
  • Once the butter is pale in color and light slowly add in the sifted confectioners' sugar one spoon at a time on medium speed. Let the sugar fully incorporate before adding in more sugar.
  • Add the vanilla extract, salt and milk or cream.
  • Whip on high speed for another 3-4 minutes until very light, creamy, and fluffy.
  • Add in the flavorings of your choice to create your desired flavor.

Recipe Notes

Sift the sugar AFTER you have measured it.
Use the buttercream straight away or keep it refrigerated for up to 4 weeks. Before use make sure it comes to room temperature.
If you want a little bit of extra color add a bit of food dye until you've reached your desired color.

 

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Riz
Riz
3 years ago

Hey Gemma, why my buttercream is grainy???

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Rhonda
Rhonda
3 years ago

Gemma,

I am new to your site but love it. I have a question about the crazy frosting. I may have missed this instruction but if making several flavors out of one batch, what is the frosting/add in ratio. In the cupcake video you illustrated with 1/4 cub of batter with add ins for one cupcake but I didn’t notice a frosting/flavor ratio in the frosting video. I hope this makes sense. Thank you!!

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Lisa
Lisa
3 years ago

Hey Gramma. My child has do bake cupcakes ,but add twist to them. How can I do that with store bought cake mix and icing. Thank you for you help. Mother who wants to help her child up. My email is lisarenner81@gmail.com .

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BakerBug
BakerBug
2 years ago

Delicious buttercream. I made the chocolate to ice a chocolate cake (made with a mix = cheat) and it is fudgy yummy. I did have to add a little more milk as the buttercream was too thick to spread. Worked out perfectly.

There was more than enough for my simple, double layer cake, so I’ve frozen the remainder for the future (bet it tastes good frozen from a spoon 🙂

Thanks for another great recipe Gemma!

Last edited 2 years ago by BakerBug
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Maya
Maya
2 years ago

Hello! For the regular buttercream frosting (no add-ins), what would be better: milk or cream?

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Christie
Christie
4 years ago

Hi Gemma! You are a pleasure to learn from and I cant get enough of your recipes! I do however have a quick question on the crazy frosting recipe for the strawberry frosting. When it says to puree and strain. so the 1/2 cup strawberries i will add to the recipe is this the puree or the strained strawberries I’m adding in?

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Akosua Ofewaa Opoku
Akosua Ofewaa Opoku
2 years ago

Hi Gemma. Thanks a lot for this recipe. Do you have some tips on what to do if your butter is falling apart as a result of over-whipping? I find that my butter gets watery at some point but I somehow feel that it’s as a result of excess whipping. I use vegetable margarine by the way. Thanks.

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Ree
Ree
3 years ago

Hi Gemma.. Haven’t tried making this buttercream recipebof yours.. but I’m sure it’s best ever

Got a question.. can i store this buttercream frosting for future use? Storage and container tips please. And How long does it last in the fridge?

Many thanks. – Ree

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Mia
Mia
4 years ago

Hi! Can I make a batch of this and split it 4 ways and then add 4 different flavors? Or is each batch for 1 flavor with the measurements given? Thanks!

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Billy
Billy
29 days ago

Gemma
I need a carmel frosting please help!!! Thank you
New Baker in a small business but in need of a carmel icing for cakes Whoopi pies

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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